The Youngest Son of the Nanyang Jin Family - Chapter 28

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This chapter was translated by Lunox Novels. To support us and help keep this series going, visit our website: LunoxScans.com
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The Youngest Son of the Nakhyang Jin Family — Chapter 28

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Somewhere deep within a mountain valley.
Countless Green Forest Sect members gazed upon a single man with eyes brimming with reverence and respect.
The man, whose very presence commanded an authority that none dared approach lightly, turned his gaze toward the figure kneeling before him.
Shiver—
Merely looking upon him conjured the sensation of an axe cleaving down relentlessly.
As if an invisible axe continued to strike without cessation.
Cha Hak-sang, the fortress master of Hochi Fortress, trembled violently, cold sweat streaming down his face.
The man before him was none other than the absolute existence who had crushed the previous Nok-rim King with a single fist and claimed his throne.
The new Nok-rim King, Gu Gunbaek.
Standing nearly nine feet tall with a physique that defied reason.
Muscles so taut and rippling they seemed ready to burst from his frame.
The fists he clenched appeared as solid as iron ingots.
Even those confident in their martial prowess would seem nothing more than a newborn pup before such an existence.
He sat in his chair, clenching his fist and tapping the armrest rhythmically.
“The Nakhyang Jin Family, you say? Those wealthy ones?”
His voice was rough, as if scraping metal.
“Y-yes, that is correct.”
“How many came with you?”
“…I came alone.”
Snickers erupted from various corners. Here was the fortress master of the Seventy-Two Forests Guild, beaten by the son of a merchant family rather than a martial clan.
He could only be mocked by his fellow fortress masters.
Gu Gunbaek regarded Cha Hak-sang with an incredulous expression, then slowly raised his hand, silencing those who were laughing.
His gaze returned to Cha Hak-sang.
“Did an escort service representative come instead?”
“That is… well…”
“Speak plainly.”
“It was the Young Master So!”
At the mention of Young Master So, Gu Gunbaek’s expression shifted to one of bewilderment.
Whether one hailed from the Central Plains or not, there was no one ignorant of the Nakhyang Jin Family’s name. It was common knowledge that they were the sole clan capable of controlling the financial lifeblood of the Central Plains.
He had heard that the Young Master of that place had not yet reached adulthood.
Moreover, could he even be called a martial artist?
Gu Gunbaek furrowed his brow and let out a hollow laugh.
“So you were beaten by that penniless Young Master from that clan, and now you’ve come to me with this tale?”
“I… I sincerely apologize.”
Cha Hak-sang slammed his head to the ground and cried out.
Gu Gunbaek simply gazed at Cha Hak-sang, who continued to prostrate himself, and kept his mouth firmly shut.
As he uttered not a single word, a frigid silence descended upon the surroundings.
Though only for a moment.
Ssshhh—
Gu Gunbaek’s laughter emerged.
Bitterly cold.
How delightful.
Unlike the tediously dreary homeland, the Central Plains Martial Arts World truly delivered an endless cascade of joy and intrigue.
While touring the Central Plains, I happened upon bandits and crushed them—who could have foreseen that wretch was the Nok-rim King?
Thanks to that twist of fate, I’ve amusingly become the king of bandits.
Though I know not when I shall depart, surely I must savor this position to its fullest while I remain?
Gu Gunbaek’s gaze swept toward the Green Forest Bandits.
Every one of them bore eyes awaiting his command.
This only amplified his pleasure.
“I proclaim in the name of Gu Gunbaek, the Nok-rim King! From this moment forth, the Nakhyang Jin Family and we are enemies! Send word to every Green Forest member! There shall be no mercy until their leader kneels!”
“Uuuaaahhh!”
“Hahaha! Let us give it a try!”
The Green Forest Bandits erupted in exultant cries.
The Nakhyang Jin Family and the Green Forest were inseparable rivals.
Yet should one strike at the Green Forest, they must pay the price. Considering the Jin Family’s financial might, such a decision would not be made lightly—but the newly ascended Gu Gunbaek harbored no such hesitation.
For he possessed overwhelming power.
And the Green Forest knew this well.

* * *

I slowly opened my eyes and steadied my breathing.
The spiritual cultivation had begun in the early hours of the Rat period, and as the darkness of my chamber gradually gave way to light, I rose from my seat.
My body brimmed with spiritual energy.
Rather than sleep these past few days, I had been conducting spiritual cultivation, rapidly absorbing the essence of the spirit pills.
Indeed, the Cyan Fragrance Pill crafted by the Divine Doctor.
The claim that it surpassed even Shaolin’s Great Restoration Pill proved to be no mere exaggeration—I could feel the spiritual energy settling abundantly throughout my body.
“Incomparably better than the past.”
Without thinking, I recalled those days and smiled wryly.
When I was hunted relentlessly and had to master martial arts with every ounce of strength, I had never even seen a spirit pill, let alone a spirit herb.
But look at me now.
If I so desired, I could obtain as much as I wished.
I had spirit pills hidden away from Father, and even without them, I possessed wealth enough to acquire spirit herbs or spirit pills without difficulty.
And that foundation now became my strength.
I would ascend ever faster.
And I would shatter the barriers that once blocked my path, and tear those wretches to shreds.
With such resolve firmly planted in my heart, I cast aside idle thoughts.
I performed a simple ablution, opened the door, and stepped outside. Maids were busily cleaning the annex throughout the courtyard.
Yet something about their demeanor seemed peculiar.
They whispered among themselves, casting furtive glances in a particular direction.
Following their gaze toward the window, I spotted Chaeseoha sitting alone in a secluded corner of the guest house garden, gazing at the pond.
Her appearance was no longer as it had been.
Instead of the tattered garments she once wore, she was dressed in neat maid’s attire.
There would have been no women’s clothing in my quarters, after all.
Her hair too had been tidied.
Thanks to this, she had succeeded in concealing her face, yet it seemed the maids had begun to gossip about her all the more.
Even without such circumstances, if a woman were residing in my annex, anyone would have something to say.
It was, after all, the annex of the youngest son of the Nakhyang Jin Family.
Just then, Jang Chuchyeong, spotting me from a distance, hurried over and whispered softly while observing Chaeseoha through the window.
“Young Master, is everything well? It is your decision, and I have no place to object… but…”
“Is it her appearance?”
“Ah, well… yes. I pay it no mind whatsoever! Rather, since she is the physician who healed you, I wish to offer her whatever small assistance I can. However… the eyes of those around us…”
Jang Chuchyeong’s words could not be dismissed as mere falsehood.
It was he, after all, who had carefully tended to her both during her arrival at the Nakhyang Jin Family from the slums and afterward.
But the eyes of others saw things differently.
And Chaeseoha, understanding this better than anyone, chose to remain apart so as not to mingle with the rest.
I regarded her quietly.
A talent I could never afford to lose.
Her appearance was irrelevant.
It was her overwhelming talent and skill as a physician that mattered.
Even searching the entirety of the Central Plains, one would struggle to find her equal in present ability.
Whenever something happens to the Sega or someone gets injured, Chaeseoha’s strength becomes indispensable.
But if she couldn’t fully integrate into this place, there was nothing strange about her leaving at any moment, given her gentle nature.
I needed to bind her more firmly to this side—make her certain she could rely on me.
Tap, tap—
I approached the window slowly and tapped against the wall.
At the sound, Chaeseoha, who had been gazing at the pond in a corner of the garden, slowly turned her head toward me.
“Young Master!”
“Did you sleep well last night?”
“Thanks to your kindness, I slept comfortably. Thank you.”
“No need for thanks. More importantly, what are you doing? Come on.”
“Where… are we going?”
“To eat.”
“Pardon?”
“To eat somewhere rather inconvenient.”
At my abrupt words, Chaeseoha tilted her head with a confused expression.
It seemed she questioned why we would move elsewhere when we could eat right here in the Annex where I was staying.
I let out a soft chuckle and leaped out the window.
“Ah?! Young Master, where are you going!”
“To eat, as I said.”
“No, from here—!”
Ignoring Jang Chuchyeong’s shout, I lightly patted Chaeseoha’s back. Startled, she jumped up and began cautiously following me.
Even so, she kept nervously gripping her sleeve, and her head continuously swiveled as she surveyed her surroundings.
“Stop worrying about what others think. Walk with confidence. Anyone seeing you would think you’d committed a crime.”
“Ah… yes.”
Chaeseoha nodded and offered a bitter smile.
Her personality seemed frustratingly timid at first glance, but it was a natural result of an environment where she had no choice but to mind others’ eyes.
Sigh—
I exhaled softly and led her forward.
We slipped out of the Annex, crossed the Sega’s vast courtyard, and headed toward the most ornate pavilion within it.
The very pavilion where my parents resided.
Considering the time, they should be preparing breakfast now.
Watching Chaeseoha stand half-mesmerized by the magnificence of the pavilion, I naturally drew her inside.
Taking in the space—which seemed twice as wide as my own Annex—I opened the pavilion’s door and stepped in.
“Oh my?”
“Hmm? What brings you here?”
My Father and Mother were having breakfast there. They looked startled as I suddenly entered, but their gaze quickly shifted to Chaeseoha beside me.
“Who is this woman?”
“Did I not mention her before? She is the Physician who treated me. Sit. The food here tastes the best.”
“Eh, yes?!”
I forcibly seated the bewildered Chaeseoha, whose eyes were wide with surprise.
Snap—
The moment my fingers clicked, a maid entered and I ordered dishes and other necessities.
Thanks to the maid’s swift movements, the table was prepared in an instant.
Only then did Father, who had been eating, turn to look at me.
“Have you come to introduce the Physician?”
“Yes. Well, what are you waiting for? Introduce her. That is Father, and this is Mother.”
“I am… Chaeseoha. So, I apologize for imposing upon Young Master.”
“My, listen to that voice. Like jade pearls rolling.”
“I am Jin Ga-muk, Family Head of the Nakhyang Jin Family. You treated my son?”
“It happened quite by chance.”
As Chaeseoha spoke with an awkward expression, Mother beside her eyes brightened.
Soon after, she pushed the food on the table toward Chaeseoha’s place. At that gesture—eat plenty—Chaeseoha swallowed hard.
Where would she have ever seen such an elaborate feast?
She wanted to pick up her chopsticks immediately, but it was not so simple.
This setting must feel tremendously overwhelming.
As if understanding Chaeseoha’s burden, Mother’s gentle voice reached her ears.
“I know this may feel uncomfortable, but please consider this your home and be at ease. You are no stranger—you saved our son’s life. Hehe.”
“Thank you.”
“Hehe, do try this. Ah—! The veil must be bothersome. Why not remove it?”
Pause—
At those words, Chaeseoha’s body stiffened.
Not knowing what to do, her eyes darted about, then she slowly turned her head and looked toward me, seeking help.
She looked as though tears might spill at any moment.
I let out a soft laugh and reached out my hand.
“Ah?!”
In an instant, I removed her veil and tossed it behind me.
Startled, Chaeseoha quickly tried to cover her face with her hands, but the face already revealed could not be erased from memory.
Both Father and Mother wore expressions of shock for a moment.
The scars were far too severe.
But soon Mother reached out and gently stroked Chaeseoha’s back.
“I do not say this merely to console you. But as a fellow woman, I cannot imagine what you must feel. Truly… you have endured so much.”
“Any merchant knows not to judge people by their appearance. And our Nakhyang Jin Family knows this even more. You saved our son, and if our son saw your inner nature and brought you here, then I concern myself with nothing else. Hani, you need not concern yourself either.”
The two who had spoken picked up their chopsticks without hesitation, judging Chaeseoha solely as a person, facing this moment with perfect composure.
Perhaps because of this, Chaeseoha slowly lowered her hands and wore a dazed expression.
Even as she revealed her face once more, both Father and Mother accepted it without flinching and devoted themselves to their meal.
I too began eating with my chopsticks.
“Eat well. The food here is the finest in our house. It may be unfamiliar, but…”
“Yes. Eat plenty. If you need more, I shall have them bring it.”
Roll, roll—
Chaeseoha’s eyes darted about.
After confirming my presence and facing Mother, she turned toward Father at the head of the table. Perhaps unaccustomed to accepting such circumstances without hesitation, her hand trembled slightly as she slowly lifted her chopsticks.
Tears gradually pooled in her clear eyes.
Yet unable to cry, she hastily wiped her eyes with her sleeve and cast her gaze as if observing her surroundings.
When Mother beside her urged her to eat by pushing the food forward, Chaeseoha finally lifted her chopsticks, as though she could no longer restrain herself.
At that moment.
“Family Head—! Disaster has struck!”
The restaurant door burst open as Jang Chuchyeong rushed in.
His breathing was ragged from how frantically he had run.
The pallor of his complexion was deeply troubling as he gasped before Father.
“What is the meaning of this? We have a guest!”
“The escort guards who went out with the Pyo Haeng service were attacked by the Green Forest Sect! They’ve all returned covered in blood, and their condition is grave!”
At those words, Father shot to his feet. He glanced at me once, then furrowed his brow and shouted toward Jang Chuchyeong.
“Summon every physician in Nakhyang! Not a single one who returns alive shall perish!”
“Y—Yes!”
At the resounding command, Jang Chuchyeong rushed outside. Though the physicians of Sega were already doing what they could, considering the usual scale of the Pyo Haeng service, their numbers would inevitably prove insufficient.
Thus, the decision to gather all physicians in Nakhyang was sound, yet given their capabilities, some would surely not escape death.
I took a sip of water and glanced away.
Chaeseoha’s pupils wavered as she listened in silence. She gazed at the chopsticks in her hand and the food before her, then, as if resigned, released a short sigh.
She picked up the napkin that had fallen to the floor and draped it over herself once more. As if having made a decision, she gazed gently at Father and murmured softly.
“Family Head, if it is acceptable, might I offer my assistance?”
“You, you say…?”
“Though humble, I wish to be of help.”
Father glanced back at me upon hearing Chaeseoha’s words.
In his eyes lay a question, as if asking if it were acceptable. I nodded in affirmation.
It would not be amiss to witness Chaeseoha’s medical skill firsthand.
Once this situation is resolved, her treatment will undoubtedly change.
“Then I shall rely upon you.”

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This chapter was translated by Lunox Novels. To support us and help keep this series going, visit our website: LunoxScans.com
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